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Desserts for special diets

Sure, we'd all like to be able to eat all the sugar and wheat and whatnot that the world has to offer, but some folks have dietary restrictions and we think that's cool. This week I took on the selfless task of seeking out local desserts that cater to people whose diets make eating out a little harder. If you know of other places or special desserts, please leave your suggestions in the comments!

Hartzell's Ice Cream
This is a delicious, locally owned ice cream shop with every flavor and treat imaginable, and it's right downtown near the Sample Gates. They have a refreshing kind of soft-serve called Carbolite that's sweetened with Splenda and is sugar free. I got the chocolate-vanilla twist cone and enjoyed it thoroughly in the humid Indiana heat, but you can also get just chocolate or vanilla. On top of that, you can get 24 different flavor shots made with Carbolite that can be used to flavor all sorts of treats, so you really don't have to sacrifice flavor when you want a summery dessert.

BLU Boy Chocolate Cafe
Obviously it's going to be good if the cafe's name has the word
"chocolate" in it. They have several housemade desserts with no added sugar. For a luxurious treat, try their dark chocolate
truffle, which is soft and rich with a light coating of cocoa powder. It
tastes like dark chocolate but somehow doesn't have that bitter
after-taste that puts some people off. For even more of a flavor
explosion, the raspberry chocolate truffle will definitely make your
day.

Dani, one of the head bakers, walked me through a bunch of the desserts
that don't have added sugar (sea salted chocolate bars,
chocolate-covered espresso beans, and beyond), as well as some
gluten-free choices, so stop by the next time you're downtown. I
guarantee you'll walk away happy.

Rainbow Bakery
This is Bloomington's first and only all-vegan bakery, where you can get the most amazing assortment of specialty vegan donuts, with flavors like beet, Simpsons (pink with sprinkles!), hibiscus, and more. They also have all the other things you want at a bakery, like chocolate cupcakes, Fauxstess cupcakes, coffee, and more. Plus they always have an assortment of gluten-free baked goods!

Abby Perfetti

Hailing from Indianapolis, Abby has lived in Bloomington since 2009. She was the Content & Social Media Coordinator for Visit Bloomington, and in her spare time, she sings in choirs, gardens, enjoys the occasional craft beer, and volunteers for Bloomington PRIDE where her wife, Sarah, is the director.